Ladki Bahin Yojana here to stay, not launched with eye on polls: CM Shinde

At the launch of the Chief Minister’s Women Empowerment Campaign and Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana in Sillod, Shinde criticised opposition parties for their objections to the scheme, accusing the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) of engaging in politics of alienation and revenge. He claimed the opposition is attempting to challenge the scheme in court.

Shinde outlined that the state’s goal is to enhance women’s social, financial, educational, and political standing, and urged people not to be swayed by the opposition’s negative narrative about the Ladki Bahin Yojana. During the event, he distributed forms for the scheme to women.

“The Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana is not a political tool. I assure you that this scheme will continue indefinitely, regardless of opposition efforts to dismantle it. The scheme will persist beyond the elections. The opposition’s criticism stems from their fear of losing power due to such beneficial schemes. Our government has implemented various initiatives for women, with 2 crore women benefiting from them,” Shinde stated.

He also highlighted that women of all castes will benefit from the scheme, with a budget allocation of ₹46,000 crores. “The Mahayuti government’s intention is noble; it aims to ensure the safety and welfare of our sisters and daughters,” he added.

Regarding Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray’s recent statements about potential arrests of him and his son Aaditya Thackeray, Shinde dismissed these claims as a “fake narrative” and criticised Thackeray for his inflammatory rhetoric.

Under the scheme, women with an annual family income of less than ₹2.5 lakh will receive ₹1,500 in monthly aid. The scheme was announced in the recent budget.

“The women of the state will teach a lesson to those opposing this scheme by calling it a financial burden. Our Ladki Bahin Yojana is not mere rhetoric,” Shinde concluded.